Frankly, none. But never bite the hand that feeds you I say, particularly when it feeds you ripe fruit and vegemite sandwiches. This rule applies doubly for evil galactic overlords between gigs. (And yes, the first continent to be occupied … Continue reading →
Continue readingAuthor: mark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys
mark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Is it worth it?
Sometimes writing seems like a lonely, pointless, and possibly self-destructive activity. I mean, I COULD be doing other things with my time. Then you get a review like this, and it all seems worthwhile: LOL! So many times I found … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: A bloody funny book, plus giveaways
First off, I’ve got to mention this glowing review of Marvellous Hairy on Goodreads: My God this was a bloody funny book, a funny book with a potentially insanely important message for our greed driven so called civilisation that has … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Don’t blink or you’ll miss the best part
First Look: Ultimate Teaser Trailer for Comedy Bang Bang, the TV show! Comedy Bang Bang is one of my favorite podcasts, so it’s kind of cool to see it turn into a TV show on the IFC network. The series … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Byron’s Epic Swims: Leaving England
Though most famous for his poetry, war heroics, and womanizing, Lord Byron’s greatest achievements all took place in the water. He was born with a deformity in his right foot, or as it was so sensitively known in the 18th … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Why doesn’t SF produce “big idea” books anymore?
“…today you don’t need to read SF to get a sense of wonder high: you can just browse “New Scientist”. We’re living in the frickin’ 21st century. Killer robot drones are assassinating people in the hills of Afghanistan. Our civilisation … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: What is that all over his economy? Ants!
I’d like to see what Aesop would make of derivatives. Alltop enjoys a good fable.
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: The League of Peculiar Gentlemen: The Brits
Though not as well-known as other Leagues composed of remarkable individuals, the League of Peculiar Gentlemen (LOPG) is none-the-less, an astonishing story of sacrifice, heroism, and strapping things over your face. The first iteration of the LOPG featured six members … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Summer reading season begins with sales
If you’re looking for some fun reading this summer, I have a couple of books I’d like to suggest. And both can be purchased this week for less than usual. Buy it here for $3 off the cover price. That’s … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Why Canadians celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday
Here in Canada we celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday, and it is known as Victoria Day. Why? She has been dead for more than 110 years, and our current Queen has now been reigning almost as long as Vicky did. I … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Baboon-Washing Club Rules
You do not talk about baboon-washing club. You do not talk about baboon-washing club. If someone says “stop,” goes limp, or gets infected by a new virulent strain of baboon-born ebola, the baboon-wash is over. Only two guys to a … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: And now a word from John Cleese, the devil
This explains a great deal. Alltop is fond of burning things too.
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: The Safety Word Is "Kaisershaft"
Mistress Plenty O’Taunt was the four-time winner of Dominatrix of the Year, given at the annual “Dommie” ceremony held the day after the Nobel Prizes. (Though only Sven Spankenborg sat on both the Nobel and Dommie committees.) Though known primarily … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Ask General Kang: Do you have infographics on your home world?
Do we? I have entire legion of hipster über-baboons devoted to cranking out these things on an hourly basis, clogging Neecknaw’s Datasphere with pretty misinformation. Before I recruited them for the Symbol Legion of Zoom, I found the über-baboons were … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: The Phrase Freak: Moving Forward
This piece of hackery is most often heard in business settings, but I’m afraid it has even crept into the hallowed halls of academe, where one is as likely to hear Latin freakery such as sui generis. It tends to … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Ask General Kang: I can’t stop playing Civilization V. Can you help?
Hmm. Do you have access to an intergalactic armada and enough firepower to conquer another world? If so, then I think I can help you, but I’ll need to borrow them first. If not, then you’re screwed. Everybody knows that … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Ask General Kang: Is it technically cannibalism if all you eat is a pinkie?
First of all, check the finger carefully. If it’s not a pinkie from the same species, then you’re probably okay. I was once really freaked out by Colonel (now Major) Bonzo and his wife had me over for a “special” … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Laundry bills
It was an undeniably exciting sport, but its inventors, Jake and Josh Meridian (pictured at right, shortly before their deaths), never could manage a rally. Their best game (shown here, immediately preceding their horrific fiery demise) never really got off … Continue reading →
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Fatal Beatings
“I was at school with his brother Bufty. Tremendous bloke. He was head of my house. Buggered me senseless. Still, it taught me about life.” Spot that quote! Alltop is a tremendous aggregator.
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Prophesatire: Network
Howard Beale: I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel’s worth, banks are going bust, shopkeepers … Continue reading →
Continue reading